BCX-4208 (PNP Inhibitor)

BCX-4208, is an orally available small molecule inhibitor of purine nucleoside phosphorylase ("PNP"), an enzyme that is essential for the proliferation of activated T-cells. With its novel mechanism of action, BCX-4208 has the potential to address unmet medical needs across a broad spectrum of autoimmune diseases as well as in the area of acute transplant rejection.

In July 2007, Roche and BioCryst initiated the first Phase II study to evaluate BCX-4208. This clinical trial, led by Roche, is designed to evaluate BCX-4208 in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Through the initiation of this Phase II clinical trial, Roche and BioCryst continue to demonstrate their strong commitment to develop BCX-4208 as a novel agent to improve therapeutic options for patients with debilitating autoimmune disorders. Read the full press release here:

Roche and BioCryst Advance BCX-4208/R3421 Into Phase II Psoriasis Trial

BioCryst and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (“Roche”) entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement in November 2005, to develop and commercialize BCX-4208 for the prevention of acute rejection in transplantation and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. This collaboration provides substantial strategic and economic benefit to BioCryst while also providing all the essential elements for the rapid, comprehensive and competitive development of BCX-4208. The two companies have established a joint committee to set the clinical development strategy and the future development program for BCX-4208. Read the full press release here:

Roche and BioCryst Collaborate on Clinical Compound BCX-4208

About Psoriasis

Psoriasis, a chronic and often painful and debilitating autoimmune disease, affects an estimated 2-3 percent of the world's population, accounting for nearly 125 million persons worldwide. The National Institutes of Health estimates that 5.8-7.5 million Americans have psoriasis and between 10-30 percent of people with psoriasis will later develop psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis occurs when faulty signalsin the immune system mistakenly activate T-cells causing inflammation and resulting in the faster-than-normal regeneration of skin cells. Usually skin cell regeneration takes about a month, in the presence of psoriasis the skin regenerates in a few days. This overabundance of skin cells results in patches of thick, red skin which can cause significant physical discomfort. These patches of skin, called plaques, occur most often on the elbows, knees, scalp, face, palms and soles of the feet but they can appear anywhere on the body including the fingernails, toenails and the soft tissues of the genitals and inside the mouth.

About Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body's own cells rather than invading microorganisms. There are more than 80 clinically distinct autoimmune diseases (i.e. multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and some types of diabetes), each affecting the body in different ways. Presentation of these diseases can also vary from patient to patient with the same condition, and can lead to organ failure requiring transplantation. Corticosteroids are still the mainstay of treatment for many autoimmune diseases and physicians have to constantly balance the requirement for best possible disease control with the drug related morbidities associated with long term steroid exposure.

About Transplant Rejection

The greatest threat to transplant patients is rejection of the transplanted organ by the body's own immune system. For this reason, transplant recipients must take drugs to suppress the immune response and prevent rejection usually for the rest of their lives. A regimen combining several drugs is usually given and this treatment has to be continued indefinitely. Rejection of the new kidney by the patient's immune system can lead to loss of the transplanted organ and a return to dialysis for kidney transplant recipients. For heart, lung and liver transplant patients, loss of the transplanted organ presents an immediate threat to life.

More research information

BCX-4208 (PNP Inhibitor)

About Psoriasis